President Barack Obama took to the podium in the East Wing of the White House today, for a hastily arranged Press Conference. The President intending to take the fight to Republicans over his Proposed Jobs bill, instead adopted, his now familiar lethargic, long-drawn out replies to journalists questions. Interestingly, he provided support for the Wall Street protests and attacked the risks bankers took as being irresponsible. On the other hand, the president promoted and justified the risk taking, when responding to questions on the Solyndra case.

President Obama tried to throw down the gauntlet to Republicans insisting they should pass his $447bn programme for creating new jobs or be punished by voters in next year’s Congressional elections. The president didn’t appear comfortable in his response when asked by a reporter, if he was trying to use President Truman’s tactic, of running against a “Do-nothing Congress.” The Obama administration are embroiled in some of the toughest fights of their three year term between a shockingly bad economy, mounting debt and scandals ranging from the Solyndra case through to the “Fast and the furious” case. The one theme running through all the challenges facing the administration is denial, and a distinct lack or willingness, to take responsibility for any of the issues.

Speaker Boehner said the president had shown no leadership by holding rallies around the country to promote his $447 billion jobs bill, rather than negotiating with Republicans, to pass legislation that would bring down the 9.1 percent unemployment rate.

“I’ve had my share of disappointments this year, but nothing has disappointed me more than what’s happened over the last five weeks, to watch the president of the United States give up on governing, give up on leading, and spend full time campaigning,”

“I can’t tell you how dangerous our situation, our economy’s in and how dangerous the situation in Europe is,” Boehner said. “And yet the president, some 14 months before the election, throws in the towel and decides he’s going to spend all of his time out campaigning. We’re legislating, he’s campaigning. It’s very disappointing.”

While it is fair to say that the last year hasn’t exactly being the beacon of legislative accomplishment, the general public are increasingly growing tired with all parties in Washington D.C., in failing to take real meaningful action.
While President Obama may have appeared to be talking tough, some of his choice of words like “Preaching” or “Here’s some homework for you,” still give the appearance that the president is guilty of the very charge his is attempting to level at the Republicans, which is, being out of touch with the people.

The best advice I could give the president is to take time to meet and listen to his fiercest critics. A good leader should never be afraid to take criticism and more importantly, act on it. Harsh critics often give you the most direct and honest feedback you’ll get as a leader. The important thing is that you be prepared to take it onboard and act on it, it is an opportunity not a hindrance.

The president needs to stop lecturing and trying to convince voters that he is not playing politics, the only thing that is going to turn the nation and his own fortunes around, is action!

There is an old childhood tale we tell our children here in Europe to stop them from telling falsehood’s, it is called “The boy who cried wolf.” The president needs to understand that he doesn’t carry the political influence or enthusiasm among voters that he did four years ago. The reason for this is because of his policies, leadership and the economy. He cannot carry on blaming the BIG, BAD, Republicans why? Because, people in tough times want a leader who talks about their concerns and pains, not about the cost or bruises he has endured politically.

People want to be inspired, enthused and above all, have belief that their leader will turn things around. President Obama needs to re-think his strategy and stop blaming others for the poor state of the country and start taking action; this may involve working with Republicans. He is absolutely correct; next years elections will give voters an opportunity to decide the members in Congress faith. The note of caution I would lend the president is that above all, they are voting for the leader of their nation, if you cannot provide that required leadership, the outcome of the presidential election will be a fore gone conclusion come November 2012, and he’ll then only have himself to blame, a honest fact. The most proactive step the Obama administration took on job creation this week was the farcical Tweet for Jobs initiative. I’m sorry, but I expect more from any president.

There was more bad news for the President before the press conference with the release of a new QUINNIPAC UNIVERSITY POLL showing the President’s approval ratings now stand at just 41% with 55% of responder’s disapproving of the president’s job performance. Tomorrow will see the monthly unemployment figures released for September with many commentators expecting the figure to stay at 9.1% at least.